How to Clean a Window AC
Window air conditioners (AC) are efficient, convenient cooling devices, but they can become clogged with debris and dirt very easily. Once a window AC unit becomes clogged with dirt and grime, the air conditioner does not work as efficiently. It will begin to put out less and less air, and it may become frozen after only a few hours of operation. The best way to prevent this from happening is to clean your window AC once a month while it is in use. You should also give your air conditioner a thorough cleaning at the beginning or end of the cooling season. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum
- Old rags
- Bucket
- Medium-bristled cleaning brush
- Toothbrush
- Detergent
- Degreaser
- Screwdriver
Instructions
-
-
1
Place newspapers or an old drop cloth on the floor where the cleaning will take place. Unplug the air conditioner. Slide the air conditioning unit out of the window and sit it on the protected floor.
-
2
Fill your kitchen sink with hot water and detergent. Pull the filter out of the air conditioner and place it to soak in the sink for 15 minutes. Continue with the rest of the steps while the filter is soaking.
-
-
3
Remove the front grill using the screwdriver. Set to the side. Clean dust and debris from the coils using the cleaning brush. Brush off dust and debris from the rest of the unit as well. Be sure to pay special attention to the air intake vent on the air conditioner.
-
4
Fill a bucket with a mixture of warm water and detergent. Wipe down the outside of the air conditioner using an old rag and the water/detergent mixture. Scrub the unit until only stubborn dirt, grease and organic materials remain.
-
5
Return to the sink and the soaking filter. Scrub the filter with a toothbrush to remove any dirt that the soaking did not remove. Rinse it with warm water and place in a well-ventilated area to dry.
-
6
Return to the unit, and spray stubborn dirt and grime with the degreaser. Allow it to sit for five minutes. Wipe off the degreaser and the leftover grime with an old rag. Wipe down the unit to remove any leftover cleaning agents using a clean rag and plain water. Dry off the AC completely.
-
7
Reattach the front grill and slide the filter back into place. Place the unit back into the window, and secure it. Plug in the air conditioner and check for function.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Once a year, your unit needs a thorough cleaning. At this time, you will need to take apart the air conditioner and clean the fan blades, coils and other mechanical components. This deep cleaning is usually performed in the fall, right before the unit is placed in storage.
